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IMAGE COURTESY OF: GRTgaz

IMAGE COURTESY OF: GRTgaz

MEMBERS INNOVATIVE ACTIVITIES

Technology

The natural gas industry in and around Europe is going through a period of unprecedented change. Investment into R&D pilot and demonstration projects is essential as it creates the opportunity for new and improved technologies, which are vital in enabling the transition to decarbonization of the gas sector. ENTSOG Members (TSOs) are developing new and innovative technologies to offer sustainable solutions for the gas sector. These technologies focus on optimization of the grid usage, creation of digital layer connections and support decarbonization of the EU gas system. Please find specific examples in the list provided below.

Ontras Gastransport GmbH, SNAM Rete Gas S.p.A.

Linz Hydrogen Initiative

Austrian Presidency of the EU Council started the “Linz Hydrogen Initiative” and invited to a high level conference on the eve of the Informal Meeting of the Energy Ministers on 17 September. The conference focused on the topics of renewable hydrogen, energy storage technologies and innovative energy technologies for energy intensive industries.

Enagás S.A.

RenovaGas

RENOVAGAS is a research project whose first phase finished in 2017. It first aim was the development of a 15 kW demonstration plant for the production of synthetic natural gas (SNG) from the electrolytic production of hydrogen with renewable energy sources (RES) and its combination directly with a biogas stream, that is, without separating CO2 from the methane, through a methanation process, so the synthetic natural gas obtained was fully renewable.

Ontras Gastransport GmbH

MoBIO 800

ONTRAS in cooperation with the NEUMAN & ESSER Group, developed a mobile biogas compressor. This compressor not only avoids expensive downtime at injection plants, it also enables redirection of pipeline gas during maintenance work. This helps ONTRAS to minimize flare-off emissions. Also, in case of a failure or malfunction in a stationary system, it should be possible to connect and use the mobile solution in the short-term.

National Grid Gas

Project GRAID

National Grid's robotic inspection device GRAID can inspect the inside of live, high-pressure gas pipelines, up to 100 bar(g) and provide reliable condition data on our critical assets. This technological leap will allow NGGT to cut asset maintenance costs by eliminating unnecessary excavations and providing data to allow asset life extension. It will also generate potential carbon savings of more than 2,000 tonnes annually, equivalent to the emissions from almost 500 UK households. It is a critical benefit as we move towards a low-carbon economy. In addition, National Grid are open and willing to discuss collaboration projects with any interested TSOs.

Gas Connect Austria GmbH

Wind2hydrogen

The Wind2Hydrogen pilot facility in Auersthal, Lower Austria was in operation from January 2014 until the end of 2017. It converted power from wind turbines into transportable, storable hydrogen using a new, specially developed electrolysis process that responds very quickly to changing loads from a wind farm, and can economically produce high pressure of around 165 bar.

Ontras Gastransport GmbH, Open Grid Europe

ONTRAS and Open Grid Europe partner with Volkswagen

Strategic partnerships with with the goal of expanding the current CNG-fueling station infrastructure. Increasing the amount of biomethane in CNG offers massive potential for CO2 reductions. Therefore, ONTRAS aims to ensure that the highest-possible share of biomethane will be offered at its fueling stations.

GRTGaz

Standardised quality measurements for European biomethane (RICE)

This project aims to develop new techniques to measure the level of various compounds – compounds that may have an impact over a certain concentration – before injection of the biomethane into the network.

Elering AS

Biomethane registry

In order for biomethane to reach consumers, Elering will create efficient conditions for biomethane producers to connect to the gas network, advise producers on finding connection options, and allow filling stations to quickly join new and existing gas networks. In addition, Elering will create and implement a certificate of origin system to verify the origin of gas for consumers.

Snam Rete Gas S.p.A.

I-GAP project

The project aims to develop the technology of small gas absorption heat pumps (GAHP) to offer an economically sustainable and easily integrated solution for heating residential buildings. In particular, the project will quantify the energy, environmental and infrastructural benefits deriving from the widespread application of this technology.The main advantages of this technology are the ease of installation, lower operating costs and lower emissions of climate-changing gases. Duration: 01 October 2016 - 04 June 2020